Nyx Book Reviews

fantasy ♥ paranormal ♥ horror ♥ science-fiction

Proofreading

Next to being a PhD student in English Literature, I also freelance as proofreader. If you are a blogger or author interested in my services, please send me an email with “Proofreading” in the subject line.

What is proofreading?

As a proofreader, I track all those pesky typos and formatting errors, and I check that every sentence starts with a capital and ends with a full stop. I make sure your work is in its best possible shape before it gets sent into the world. Proofreading is the last step in the editing process of a novel.

Why do I need a proofreader?

When you’ve been working on a piece of text for a long time, you stop seeing what you really wrote. Instead, you see what you think you wrote. You can read over the same error five times without seeing it once. The proofreader brings a pair of fresh eyes to the table, and polishes your work into tip-top shape.

Especially as a self-published author, having a proofreader read your work is incredibly important. Readers are used to professionally published books, which have an entire editorial team making sure every sentence is as perfect as can be. Don’t let the reader be distracted by wrong punctuation or typos, and bring them the best possible book you can provide.

What is the difference between substantial editing, copy editing, and proofreading?

Now, not everyone agrees on the definitions of these, but here is a general overview. Substantial editing is editing done on a grand scale – it involves rearranging scenes en rewriting scenes. It makes sure your story is as tight and engaging as it can be. Copy editing is an intense process where every sentence is examined for correct grammar, structure, and continuous voice.

You should have gone through a round of both substantial editing and copy editing before proceeding to proofreading. Proofreading is where the last minutiae are changed. If you still have to rewrite entire scenes, proofreading is a waste of time.

What can I do for you?

I provide a thorough read-through of your work for a small fee. I charge a minimum fee of $25 for blog posts, articles and short stories. Short novels start at $100. For a quote, please send me a sample of your work, and provide the amount of words. My suggested corrections will be sent to you in a marked up Word document. It’s also possible to send me your work in print, and I will mark it up on paper and send it back to you. I am happy to proofread a few pages of your work for free to help you decide if I’m the right proofreader for you.

Books I’ve proofread